Dr White, of Felinheli Surgery in Gwynedd, has been a GP for 36 years. A fluent Welsh speaker, he has been part of GPC Wales for 12 years and was elected to the Welsh Council in 1985.

He is also chief executive and secretary of the north Wales LMC, from which he will be stepping down as in light of his new appointment, and an honorary lecturer in healthcare studies at Bangor University.

Meanwhile, Dr Gareth Oelmann and Dr Peter Horvath Howard will serve as Dr White’s co-deputy chairs. Dr Oelmann is a GP partner in Cwmbran, and Dr Horvath Howard is a partner in Hay-on-Wye.

Dr Oelmann and Dr Horvath Howard have also been elected as negotiators, alongside Dr David Bailey, chair of the BMA Welsh Council, and Dr Ian Harris, a member of GPC Wales.

Dr White said: ‘I am happy to take up the position as chair of GPC Wales. The work the committee does is far reaching; playing a leading role in developing a high quality and sustainable NHS, providing an authoritative voice from the profession and doing its very best for GPs across Wales.

‘I have big shoes to fill but am certainly up for the challenge. I have a strong committee behind me and we are committed to working proactively to ensure we champion the views of our members and their patients.’

Interim head of operations at BMA Wales Yvette Jacques said: ‘I would like to congratulate Phil on his new role. He has served BMA Cymru Wales and patients well over the years during his various roles. I look forward to working with him in his role as chair of GPC Wales.

‘I would also like to pay tribute to Dr Charlotte Jones, who served with utmost dedication during her time as chair. She has contributed greatly to health debate, ensuring that the interests of doctors and patients in Wales were heard at the highest levels.’